David tulchin



mm. 3, 1929. D.-TULYCHIN, 1,726,779

TURNSTILE Filed June 5, 192

INVENTOR I fiam'd Jilin/2m ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES DAVID TULCHIN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TURNSTILE.

Application filed June 5,

My present invention relates to turnstiles of the space-cconomizingtype, in which the barrier arms pass out of the horizontal plane whenout of passage-guarding position, and

the turnstile projects from the supporting wall or post by the width ofone arm at one side thereof, ratherthan by the width of an arm at bothsides thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a lo turnstile of the typementioned which shall be of simple, rugged, yet inexpensiveconstruction, unlikely to become deranged in operation, which inoperation does not involve traverse of a barrier arm to the side of 1the support wall or post opposite the guarded passage, and which shallhave a light or feather-weight action.

The invention is embodied in a construction comprising a support or hubhaving barrier arms protruding therefrom and mutually related tomaintain a constant angular interval between the axial planes of thesuccessive arms, in which planes, however, the arms when unsupported arefree to drop. In the preferred embodiment, the arm in passage-blockingrelation, is maintained in a horizontal plane by an appropriate supportor shelf, while the arms not in blocking relation drop by reason oftheir unsupported connection. Preferably guides are provided such thatthe arm about to enter into blocking relation is automaticallymaintained in operation of the turnstile in the horizontal plane inwhich itperforms its blocking function.

In the specific construction preferred, the hub is rotatably mounted onan oblique axis, preferably at an angle of 45 degrees, in the verticalplane of the operative barrier arm, and said hub carries identicalguide-ways one for each barrier arm. Each guide-way acts by a compoundcamming and lifting action to raise the corresponding barrier arm to thelevel in which it performs its blocking function. to transmit torquefrom the blocking arm in operating the turnstile and to guide thegravity descent of the arm after it has traversed the passage to beblocked.

In the preferred embodiment, in which 1' our barrier arms are employed,the arm moving out of operative position increases the torque on the hubor head produced by a person passing through the turnstile, therebyassisting in rotating the head to lift the opposite arm into operativehorizontal position.

In the accompanying drawings,

1924. Serial No. 717,965.

I Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a passageway guarded by my improvedturnstile,

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the turnstile,

Fig. 3 is a View in transverse section taken along the line 33 of Fig.1,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the turnstile headand its associated mechanism,

Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section taken along the line 55 of Fig.4, and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged View in transverse section taken along the line 66of Fig. 3. f

I have illustratively shown a passage-way defined at one side by ahollow wall or housing 10 and at the other by a railing 11. Theturnstile includes a rotatable head 12 within the housing 10, and aplurality of barrier arms, A, B, C and I) carried by the head andmovable into and out of passage obstructing position through ahorizontal slot 14 in the wall 15 of the housing adjacent thepassageway. I prefer to use four arms so that the arms and head will bemoved through an arc of 90 degrees, whenever a person passes through thestile, although less or more than four arms may be used, if desired.

The head 12 is mounted to rotate on an axis in the plane of theobstructing arm and at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to thehorizontal. The head turns either with or upon a shaft 16, extendingobliquely across and having bearings within the housing. The bearingsfor the ends of this shaft 16 may comprise socket members 17 and 18,respectively secured by flanges 19 and 20 against the inner face of theWall 15 below the slot. 14 and the inner face of the rear wall 21 of thehousing above the slot M. For convenience in assembling the device. thetop 22 of the housing is removable and the socket member 18 includes aremovable bearing section 24, which is secured in position after theupper rear end of the shaft 16 is dropped into the socket 18.

The rotatable head 12 is arranged on the shaft 16 between a sleeve 26and a fixed collar 25. An external flange 27 at the lower end of thesleeve 26 cooperates with a similar flange 28 on the socket member 17 toform a The head preferably includes a circular block turning upon theshaft 16 keyed as at 26' to sleeve 26 and carrying at angular intervalsof a quadrant. sector guide-ways for the barrier arms. Each guide-waycomprises race for a set of ball or equivalent bearings a pair ofradially extending quadrant sector plates 30, the reference numeral ofthe guideway of each barrier arm having an exponent corresponding to thereference character of the arm. Each pair of plates provides a guide-wayfor the movement of the barrier arms in planes at right angles to theplane of rotation of the head. The guide-ways thus limit the arms tomovement in planes axial of the head and mutually spaced by a quadrant.

Preferably the barrier arms have a universal connection with the headand are universally movable relative thereto, except in so far as theindependent turning movement of the head and arms is limited by theplates 30. To effect this connection metallic mounting shanks 32 havingknobbed or spherical heads 33 are screwed and pinned as at 32' orotherwise rigidly secured to the inner ends of the arms, which lattermay be of wood. The spherical heads are accommodated in sockets 34 inthe underface of the head 12 and are retained therein by an annularflange 35 at the adjacent end of the sleeve 26. The sector plates 30 arecut-away as at 36 to receive flange 35. The hub and flange thuscooperate to provide a universal mounting for the spherical heads. Thesockets 34 are widened at 37 toward the periphery of the head to permitthe swinging movement of the arms.

The barrier arms may include wide flat free ends of conventional form ormay be circular in cross-section, as shown. Preferably a lip or shelf38extends into the passageway at the bottom edge of the slot 14 tosupport the barrier arms during their movement across the passageway.

A spring-urged latch member such as the conical headed stud 39 may beused to check the swinging movement of the turnstile after a person haspassed through, and prevent the barrier arms from swinging through anarc of more than 90 degrees under the influence of a single impetus.This stud may conveniently snap into place between the curved edges of apair of the sector lates 30 and is mounted to slide in a guide s eeve 40secured upon the wall 15 of the housing 10. A coiled spring 41 bearingagainst a disk 42 screwed into the sleeve 40, urges the stud into thepath of the sector plates, which engage the head of the stud and forceit back into the sleeve against the action of the spring 41 at eachoperation of the stile.

The turnstile is normally in the position shown, in which one of thearms designated by A projects horizontally across the passage barred,the arm B in advance thereof, unsupported by the ledge 38 has dropped bygravity along its guide-way 30 limited, however, in its drop by the side15 of the wall. The succeeding arm C associated with the flange orguide-way 30 which at the time extends at right angles to the length ofthe wall has dropped by gravity to pendent or vertical position, asshown, while the arm D is in position generally analogous to arm B,part-way within its associated guide-way 30 the free end of the arm Dresting against the side 15 of the wall, at substantially the level ofledge 38.

In operation, the person presses against the obstructing barrier arm Ain the usual manner, the pressure against guide-way 30 effectingrotation of the hub or head 12 about its axis 16. The barrier arm Aremains in a horizontal position since it rests on the ledge 38, as longas it projects laterally of the wall 10, during which movement, thesocket of the ball head 33 will turn relative thereto, to accommodate orpermit the concurrent movement of the head or hub about its obliqueaxis. Throughout this movement, the rotating head moves with it thethree arms B, C and D, the flanges 31 compelling said arms to move inplanes axially of the hub, mutually spaced by angles of degrees. In themovement of the arm A through a quadrant, it will be understood that thearm A assumes the position previously taken by arm B, arm B takes theposition of arm C, arm 0 takes the position of arm D, and arm D willmove to the position of arm A, the arms thus moving in acyclic order,the spring latch 39 sharply arresting the turnstile after each quadrantof movement thereof. Specifically the guide-way 30 of the arm A extendsin a generally vertical plane at the outset, but as the arm is movedforward, said guide assumes an inclination which increases until saidinclination is approximately 45 degrees, as the end of the arm A movespast the flange 38, whereupon the arm being no longer supported willtend to drop by gravity along the inclined guide 30, limited, however,by the side wall 15. In this action, as will be readily understood, theguide-way 30 of the arm B has moved to a vertical plane, so that the armB will drop freely by gravity to the position shown by arm 0. In therotation of the hub, the guide 30 of arm C performs a combined cammingand lifting action thereon, raising the latter, the free end of whichmoves along the Wall 15 to substantially the level of the ledge 38, asshown. The arm D has moved in the operation, out of slot 14 and thencehorizontally along ledge 38 to the position of arm A.

As arm A moves past ledge 38, the weight thereof dropping obliquelyalong guide 30 when no longer supported by the ledge, acts directly tocreate or increase the torque on the rotatable head. Through a greatpart of the movement of the arm from position D to position A, thistorque on the head will continue, assisting in the lifting section ofthe opposite arm from position D to the level of ledge 38. This featurecontributes largely to the featherweight operation of the stile.

Since the arms at positions B and D effect equal and opposite torque onthe head, they are substantially balanced and the only additional torquenecessary other than to overcome the small frictional losses incurredinrotating the stile is that which is required for lifting the free end ofthe arm D for a few inches to the level of ledge 38. .This lifting isrelatively easy inasmuch as the combined camming action above describedand the free axial turning movement of the barrier arm permit thelifting to be accomplished with little effort and no binding.

Even without the latch member 39 the turnstile. when in the positionshown in the drawings. is in a state of equilibrium, the arms in thepositions B and D of Fig. 1, exerting opposite torque on the head andbalancing each other and the arms in the positions A and C having noturning effect on the head.

If one of the arms should have a tendency to stick in its guide-waybetween the sector plates, it cannot jam the turnstile, since when thefree end of the barrier arm strikes against the rear wall 21 of thehousing, this wall and the edge of the follower plate .30 will functionin reverse direction to effect positive depression of the arm andmovement of the same to position A.

A turnstile of the type above described may be. readily adapted forturning movement only in one direction or it may be adapted forcoin-controlled operation in one direction and free turning in the otherdirection. The. application of coin-controlled mechanism. registeringmechanism and similar conventional attachments is apparent, and being nopart of the present invention is not descri wed.

It will thus be seen that there is herein de-- scribed apparatus inwhich the several features of this invention are embodied, and whichapparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention andis well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction. and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim 1. In apparatus of the character described. in combination. asupporting wall, a turnstile structure comprising a head carrying fourarms having a common axis, means maintaining a constant angle of aquadrant between the axial planes of successive arms, said arms mountedfor hinging movement, each in its axial plane, and a guide constructionhaving 2. The combination set forth in claim 1 in which the guides aremounted in a unitary structure rotating with the head and in which thetorque thereon is transmitted through the guide associated with the armmoved from blocking position.

3. In a turnstile, in combination, a head rotatable in a plane atanangle to the horizontal, barrier arms carried by the head and free toswing in a downward direction relative thereto, means limiting said armsto movement in a substantially horizontal plane across a. passageguarded by the turnstile, said head having means carried thereby toraise to the substantially horizontal plane the arm entering the passa eto be guarded.

4:. In a' turnstile, arotatmg head, barrier arms carried by the head.means for supporting the arm that guards the passage in a horizontalposition for approximately 180 degrees of its movement, and meanscarried by the head for urging the succeeding arm upward to horizontaland passage guarding position, by force transmitted in pushing thepassage guarding arm past the supporting means.

5. In a turnstile, a rotating head, barrier arms carried by the head,means for supporting the arms in a horizontal position for approximately180 degrees of their movement, and means rigid with the head for liftingthe arms into horizontal position.

6. A turnstile element including a head and a plurality of barrier armsassociated with the head by a universal connection, and means limitingsaid arms to movement in planes axial of said head and separated by aquadrant.

7. A turnstile including an oblique head and a plurality of barrier armsassociated with the head by a universal connection. said head includingmeans for controlling the inclinations of the barrier arms. and meansfor maintaining in horizontal position the arm in obstructing relation.

8. A turnstile including a head rotating in a plane at an angle to thehorizontal. and a plurality of barrier arms associated with the head bya universal connection. said head including means for maintaining thebarrier arms in planes at uniform angular intervals and for raising andlowering the arms into and out of horizontal passage-blocking position.

9. In combination, a housing having a slot in one wall thereof. aturnstile including a head rotatable within the housing in a plane ofbarrier arms carried by the movement of said arms through'the slot be-vyond the housing during approximately a plane of the wall, a

half revolution of the head.

10. In combination, a housin horizontal slot in one wall thereoincluding a head rotatable within the housing in a plane atapproximately an angle of 45 degrees to the vertical walls of thehousing, a plurality of barrier arms carried by the head and movable inaxial planes of said head, and means whereby rotation of the headeffects movement of said arms through said slot, said means includinglifting cams moving with the head for raising an arm to the level of thehorizontal slot preparatory to its passage to obstructing relation.

11. In combination, a hollow passage Wall,

having a .a turnstile including a head housed within said wall androtating in a plane at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to thevertical plurality of barrier arms associated with the head, said wallhaving a slot in one side thereof through which the arms are movableduring approximately a half revolution of the head.

12. In combination, a hollow passage wall, a turnstile including a headhoused within said wall and rotating in a plane at an angle ofapproximately 45 degrees to the vertical plane of the wall, a pluralityof barrier arms associated with the head by a universal connection andrestrained in equidistant axial planes of the head, said wall having aslot in one side thereof through which the arms are movable duringapproximately a half revolution of the head, said head including pairsof sectoral guide plates guiding the movement of the arms in a plane atright angles to the plane of rotation of the head. I 13. In combination,a hollow passage wall, a turnstile including a head housed within saidwall and rotating in a plane at an angle plane of the wall, a pluralityof barrier arms associated with the head by a universal connection, saidwall having a slot in one side thereof through which the arms aremovable during approximatel a half revolution of the head,- said headincluding pairs of sectoral guide plates guiding the movement of thearms in a plane at right angles to the plane of rotation of the head,the edges of said sector plates cooperating with a wall of the housingto effect a compound camming and lifting action on-the arms to move theminto position to ass through the slot.

14. A turnstile inc uding ashaft disposed at. an angle of approximately45 degrees to the vertical, 9. head rotating on the shaft and apulurality of barrier arms associated with the head by auniversalconnection.

, a-turnstile" eluding pairs of sector 15.. A turnstile including ashaft disposed cluding pairs of sector plates guiding the.

movement of the arms mplanes at right anglesto the plane of rotation ofthe head.

16. A turnstile including a shaft disposed at an angle of approximately45 degrees to the vertical, a head rotating on the shaft and a pluralityof barrier arms associated with the head, said head by a universalconnection inlates guiding the movement of the arms in planes at rlghtangles to the plane of rotation of thehea a stationary memberassociate'd'with the turn stile and adapted to be engaged by the freeends of the arms and to cooperate with the curved edges of the guideplates to effect shift ing of said arms in planes at right angles to theplane of rotation of the head.

17. The combination with a vertical hous-.

ing having a horizontal slot in one side wall thereof, of a turnstileincluding a head of approximately the same width as the hous- .inghavina horizontal slot in one side-wall thereof, 0 a turnstile including ahead of approximately the same width as the housing, mounted to rotatein a plane at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the vertical andabout a center in approximately the same horizontal plane as the slot,barrier arms associated with the head byja universal connection andmovable through the slot, and means carried by the head for guiding themovement of the barrier arms in'planes at 19. The combination with-avertical housing, having a horizontal slot in one sidewall thereof, of aturnstile including a head of approximately the same width as thehousmg, mounted to rotate in a plane at an angle of ap roximately 45degrees to the vertical and a out a center in approximately the samehorizontal plane as the slot, barrier arms associated with the head by;a universal connection and movable throug the slot, means car- 'ried bythe head for guiding the movement of the barrier arms in planes-at-rightangles to the plane of rotation of the head, said means comprisingguideplates having arcuate edges cooperating with the wall of thehousing to effect a compound lifting action of the arms into position to'as through the slot.

20. A turnst' e including a head mounted 'ing and mounted to rotate in aplane at an right angles to the plane of rotation ofthe of approximately45 degrees to the vertical h to rotate in a plane at approximately 45degrees to the horizontal, said head including four pairs ofequidistantly spaced sectoral guide plates, barrier arms associated withthe head by a, universal connection and guided for movement at rightangles to the head by said guide plates, and a-horizontal stationaryshelf supporting the arms during a portion of their revolution with thehead.

21. A turnstile including a head mounted to rotate in a plane atapproximately 45 degrees to the horizontal, said head including fourpairs of equidistantly spaced sectoral guide plates, barrier armsassociated with the head by a universal connection and guided formovement at right angles to the head by said guide plates, a stationaryshelf across which the arms are movable during a portion of theirrevolution with the head,

and means whereby the turning guide plates lift the arms into positionto the level of said shelf.

'22. A turnstile including a head mounted the head by a universalconnection and guided for movement at right angles to the head by saidguide plates, a stationary shelf on which the arms are supported duringa portion of their revolution with the head, means for lifting the armsinto position for movement across the shelf, said head being disposed atsuch an angle to the shelf that a barrier arm falling from the shelfwill exert a positive torque on the head tending to lift a diametricallylevel of the shelf.

23. In a turnstile, in combination, an inclined rotatable turnstilehead, barrier arms carried thereby, means maintaining said arms in ahorizontal plane while crossing the passage guarded by the turnstile,said arms being mounted at said head to permit sutficient relativerotary movement about the arm axis to permit movement of the arm in ahorizontal plane simultaneous with movement of the head about itsoblique axis.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York' this22nd day of May A. "D. 1924.

DAVID TULCHIN.

opposite barrier arm to the

